ED summons Rituparna Sengupta in ration distribution scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday issued a summons to Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta, asking her to appear before its officers on June 5, 2024. 

The summons is in connection with her alleged involvement in the Rs 10,000-crore ration distribution scam in West Bengal. 

What is the scam? 

During the second term of the Mamata Banerjee government (2016-2021), rice and wheat were supplied in less than mandated quantities to fair price shop distributors.

An influential businessman named Bakibur Rahman is at the center of the investigation. He allegedly diverted the balance grain (the excess beyond what was supplied to PDS shops) to the open market for profit.

The proceeds from this diversion were reportedly used in the Bengali film industry.

Role of Rituparna Sengupta: 

The ED officers have asked Sengupta to provide details of the accounts related to her films. This suggests that her financial transactions may be linked to the scam.

In 2019, Sengupta was also interrogated by the ED in connection with the Rose Valley chit-fund scam. 

She allegedly accompanied Rose Valley Group chairman Gautam Kundu on several foreign trips and assisted in the sale and production of films.

Sengupta has been asked to appear before ED officers at the agency's office in Kolkata, an officer said.

"She needs to appear before our officers on June 5 morning," the ED official told PTI.

Sengupta was questioned by the ED in 2019 in connection with its probe into the Rose Valley chit-fund scam.

Despite several attempts, the Bengali actress could not be reached for comments.

Her family sources claimed that the actress is now in the US for personal reasons.

(PTI News Syndicate)